Lot 224
Chain with Ornate Basket-Like Pendants – Filigree Gilt Silver – Sana'a, Yemen
"Zanabil" chain with ornate basket-like pendants. Sana'a, Yemen, [first half of 20th century].
Silver, gilt, filigree and granulation; glass.
Long chain consisting of very small silver links, some square and others ring-shaped, and, in front, tiny silver disks. The chain, that was reserved for festive occasions, was worn over the head covering ("karkush" or "gargush"). Pair of oval-shaped links set with colored glass beads suspended from the ends. Suspended from each link, two spherical ornaments and a basket-shaped pendant known as the "zanabil", also set with glass beads – all products of exceptionally meticulous filigree and granulation craftsmanship.
105X4 cm.
References: The Yemenites, Two Thousand Years of Jewish Culture, p. 126; Ma'ase Rokem, p. 116.
